Gift Brings The Saint John’s Bible to Library

By Magazine StaffMarch 16, 2011

The Loyola/Notre Dame Library will add a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible, a fine art reproduction of an extraordinary handwritten, hand-illuminated text, to its permanent collection, thanks to a gift of $130,000 from Mary C. Mangione, MSA ’52, and her family in memory of her late husband Nicholas B. Mangione. Nicholas Mangione was a longtime Loyola trustee who died in 2008. Several of their 10 children also attended the University.

“I am delighted that the Mangione family’s generosity has allowed the Library to acquire such a remarkable text,” said President Brian F. Linnane, S.J. “This gift will allow us to share the beauty and mystery of the Word, in this remarkable form, with students, academics, and members of the greater community who would not otherwise have an opportunity to see such a moving work of art and faith.”

The original Saint John’s Bible was commissioned by Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn. Renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson coordinated teams of artists in Wales and scholars in Minnesota to work together to create The Saint John’s Bible, in which calligraphy and illumination bring the Word of God to life in an exquisite and inspiring blend of art and theology.

Images copyright 2003, The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minn. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, Copyright 1993, 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.